User:Mr. Ibrahem/Listeriosis

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection that typically results in diarrhea, fever, and muscles aches. Complications may include sepsis, meningitis, or encephalitis. Onset of severe disease may take up to 4 weeks after exposure. During pregnancy it may cause stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth.

It is most commonly caused by Listeria monocytogenes after eating contaminated food. While exposure is common, severe disease is rare. Those most commonly affected include the extremes of age, immunocompromised, and pregnant. Diagnosis is by culturing the bacteria from blood or cerebrospinal fluid. It is not picked up by routine stool culture.

Treatment of those with positive cultures is typically with the antibiotics, ampicillin and gentamicin, for two to three weeks. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole may be used in those who are allergic to penicillin. Prevention is by safe food handling, recalling contaminated food, and avoiding unpasteurized milk and cold deli meats. The risk of death with severe disease is about 20%.

Listeriosis resulted in about 23,000 cases globally in 2010. In the United States it affects about 1,600 people per year and results in about 260 deaths. Cases may occur as part of outbreaks of disease. It was first discovered to be a foodborne illness in 1981. Other animals may also be affected.